The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-11-14
RI0TING in LONDON.
1000 Policemen Pitted
Against q Mob.
FIERCE FIGHTS In THE STREETS.
200 Civilians and 40 Po-
licemen Wounded.

the Pollee-Deternined Efforts to Break
The Psiiee Lines-The Crowds Charged
Upsa and Heads Cracked In Every Diree.
tisn-FaIlure to Disperse the Mob
Msssssa Fsliee Charge the Mob Mt q
eslisp-The Life Guards Finally Called
Oas 70 Clear tho sQuare-Tho Prince
q wales In the Thick OF tho Fray.
ospsvtsM 1857 ~ TIE SUE Frtnsns and Juonshtns
Anoctdnon
LONDON, Nov. 12.-London has come as
near having a serious riot to-day as she pos
sibly could without actually having 1t, and, in
fact. what went on was quite sufficient to
curdle the blood In any ordinary individuals
veins. and convince nervous persons unac-
auainted with real rioting that they had seen a
very fearful riot indeed. The police authori-
ties. instructed Of course by tho Home Secre-
tary. had declared that no moro meetings
should DO held In Trafalgar square. and the
Radicals, Socialists. and other extreme ends
Of the Liberal party determined to-day to test
the question. and to prevent the police from
taking away from them the place in which for
nifty years they have held speechmaking and
Government denounoing revels.
A serious view was taken Of tho matter by
every one. and at daybreak 1t was evident that
police camo marching into the square until
1000 Of them, big meeting in themselves.
had gathered. Three thousand were placed in
an endless chain, four deep. around the square.
hemming In and blocking up the entrance to
the big. open. stone-covered space, with the
Nelson monument, stone steps. Sandson'S
bronze lions, and other conveniences for ora
toricsl labor. The other policemen. many
mounted. were scattered all over the square,
ready for anybody or anything that might
como along.
At noon tho trouble began. From all quar-
tors the people came pouring in until thou
sands upon thousands filed every inch Of
space and crowded Northumberland avenue.
Pail Mall. the Strand. Whitehall. Cockspur
street, and all the many thorouGhfares that
lead out Of the huge square. Two-thirds of
the crowd were simple curiosity seekers, tho
curious mass Of citizens who never have the
sense to remain at home. Many were good
sensible Liberals who had gathered under
mistaken impression that the demonstration
was countenanced and supported by the Lib
eral party proper. There was q big mass OF
Radicals and very good sprlnkling OF thieves,
loafers. and the usual good-for-nothings who
weaken with their presence and interfer-
ence every attempt at honest protesta-
tton against Injustice. With this crowd
tho police battIed for long time.
but without any especial trouble. and seemed
rather to enjoy 1t, as did the crowd. No one
attempted to break through the Gordon Of po-
lice around the square. and the crowd con-
tented itself with sending up tremendous vol
Toys Of hooting and groaning, and with scam
pering In every direction like frightened sheep.
overturning an occasional cab and knocking
each other down In their flight as the mounted
al cfio oh
them. For a long time the scene was
rather gay. Many folks enjoyed it at
their ease. AL the windows about the
square were filled. The windows OF tho
huge rod Constitutional Club were jammed
with Tories. Young and old delighted to have
such an element Of excitement added to tho
usual dull Sunday at the club. Lots OF big
hotels overlook the square also. and the front
windows Of all these held gay crowds of Amer
loan tourists, much delighted at the interest
ing times upon which they had happened. The
Hotel Victoria and the Grand Hotel. most IA
vorably placed. harbored In their win
dows almost enough American voters
to carry any ordinary little election.
1t was grand to see the policemen
charge at full gallop, causing the crowd
to squeeze in punches like swarming bees
against the houses and about the lampposts.
incidents of London life to remind
the travellers Of Dickens, and give thom the
delightful feeling Of seeing something real.
Radical gentlemen had little fights among
to avenge toes too rudely trodden
on. cabmen got down to do battle and punish
fares who insisted on being sheltered gratis
and right under tho hotel windows there were
two fne cases Of stop thief with all tho usual
and much more than the usual
excitement.
It was flne opportunity for pupils in the
Fagin school. and they were out in force A
young American named Harvey sailed from
the Hotel Victoria to have q nearer view. He
was gorgeous In many ways, especially as re-
garded his silk hat and the gold watch chain
which made his waistcoat glitter. There was
3 rush OF tho police. the crowd tumbled over
each other. as usual. and left young Mr.. Har-
vey minus the silk hat and struggling with a
youth Of his age, tall and lank, and not bit |
lardy. who had just relieved him OF his watch.
" Stop theft" was yelled. but the young pick |
pocket had long legs and knew a London |
crowd. From the upper Windows 1t was inter-
ssting to note the ease with which he baffled |
his pursuers, and II was touching, too. to oh |
,erve with what promptness mon OF his class |
showed their sympathy by covering his re- |
reat and completing the ruin Of the young |
Americans magnihcence.
It was not until 4 o'clock that any signs OF |
sal ugliness were displayed by the crowd.
Huge vans. laden with twopenny a'penny So
,ialist orators from remote corners OF London,
lad been arriving and discharging their loads
II agitators In the square, and tho efforts OF
hose wore soon made apparent. The crowd
,eased to submit good -naturedly to the orders.
md began energetic showing about of the po-
Ice. It'd tone grew uglier and uglier. Fight
ng began In every direction. Tho police
or tho first time drew their clubs, ana
he sound Of cracking heads was heard
n every direction. The mounted men, instead
II good-naturedly driving the mob before
hem like chickens, charged at. full gallon,
their clubs Unfortunately among
he nearest heads and riding over men with
perfect indifference. The climax was reached
Whsn four huge wagons came mp Northum-
'erland avenue loaded with Anarchists waving
'ed aAgs and spurred to enthusiasm by the
iiscord Of band which they had brought
long on q cart The band played for
while In 'front.' OF the Grand Hotel
Until vary hic nnlicaman who had